Reciprocating saw

Abstract

A reciprocating saw includes a carrier operable to cooperate with a motor to translate rotational movement of the motor into reciprocal linear actuation of a saw blade. A carrier is slidably disposed within the housing and includes a first portion adapted to receive a saw blade and a second portion having a slot therethrough. A rotatable element is fixed for rotation about an output shaft of the motor. A follower operably interconnects the carrier and the rotatable element wherein rotation of the rotatable element provides reciprocal linear motion of the carrier whereby the follower follows a reciprocal linear path within the slot.

1. A reciprocating saw comprising:
 a housing containing a motor; 
 a substantially flat planar monolithic one piece carrier slidably disposed within said housing, said carrier including a first portion with a planar base and side walls extending from and continuous with said planar base defining a channel adapted to receive a saw blade and a second portion, continuous with said first portion forming said one piece carrier, said second portion having a slot with lateral side walls extending from opposing edges of said slot in said flat second portion forming an opening through said carrier, said lateral walls include a first pair and a second pair of laterally opposed walls, said first pair of walls laterally offset from said second pair of walls by a first channel and a second channel formed in said carrier, said carrier positioned in said housing such that the plane of said planar base is in a line of cutting with the saw blade so that the plane of the line of cut is substantially parallel to the plane of the planar base; 
 a rotatable element fixed for rotation about a support and rotated by said motor; and 
 a follower for operably interconnecting said carrier and said rotatable element, said follower rolling on said lateral walls wherein rotation of said rotatable element provides reciprocal linear motion of said carrier whereby said follower follows a reciprocal linear path within said lateral walls. 
 
     
     
       2. The reciprocating saw of  claim 1 , wherein said channels are oriented whereby said support extends therethrough as said follower follows said reciprocal linear path within said slot. 
     
     
       3. The reciprocating saw of  claim 2 , wherein said follower includes a slider laterally extending in a first direction a width so as to slidably interfit between said first and second laterally opposed walls and in a second direction a width greater than said channels. 
     
     
       4. The reciprocating saw of  claim 3 , wherein said follower further includes a roller coupled to said slider, said roller configured to rotatably interface said lateral walls as said follower follows said reciprocal linear path within said slot. 
     
     
       5. The reciprocating saw of  claim 4 , wherein said housing further includes a fan operable to direct air through said second portion of said carrier to said first portion of said carrier. 
     
     
       6. The reciprocating saw of  claim 5 , wherein said fan further directs air out of said housing through vents incorporated therein. 
     
     
       7. The reciprocating saw of  claim 1 , wherein said reciprocating saw further includes a releasably attached base portion, said base portion including a first pair of lateral rails extending therefrom for slidably engaging a second pair of lateral walls incorporated on said housing. 
     
     
       8. The reciprocating saw of  claim 7 , wherein one of said housing and said base portion further includes a latch for selectively coupling said base portion to said housing. 
     
     
       9. A reciprocating saw comprising:
 a housing containing a motor; a saw blade having a cutting edge, a mounting edge and a side surface, said side surface defining a first plane in a line of cut with said cutting edge; 
 a monolithic one piece carrier member having a first portion defining a channel adapted to receive said saw blade, said channel including a base defining a second plane and walls extending from and continuous with said base and substantially perpendicular to said second plane, wherein said first plane is parallel to said second plane and said first plane resting on said second plane, and a second portion, continuous with said first portion forming said one piece carrier, said second portion having a slot with lateral side walls extending from opposing edges of said slot in said flat second portion forming an opening through said carrier member defining a guide path; 
 said second portion lateral wall sections include a first pair and a second pair of laterally opposed walls, said first pair of walls laterally offset from said second pair of walls by a first channel and a second channel formed in said carrier member; 
 a rotatable element rotated by an output shaft extending from said motor; 
 a follower for operably interconnecting said second portion and said rotatable element, said follower rolling on said lateral walls wherein rotation of said rotatable element provides reciprocal linear motion of said carrier member whereby said follower follows a reciprocal linear pattern within said guide path. 
 
     
     
       10. The reciprocating saw of  claim 9 , wherein said channels are oriented whereby said output shaft extends therethrough as said follower follows said reciprocal linear pattern within said slot. 
     
     
       11. The reciprocating saw of  claim 9 , wherein said follower includes a slider coupled thereto, said slider laterally extending in a first direction defining a width so as to slidably interfit between said first and second laterally opposed walls and in a second direction a width greater than said channels. 
     
     
       12. The reciprocating saw of  claim 11 , wherein said follower further includes a roller coupled to said slider, said roller configured to rotatably interface said laterally opposed walls as said follower follows said reciprocal linear pattern within said guide path. 
     
     
       13. The reciprocating saw of  claim 9 , wherein said housing further includes a fan operable to direct air through said second portion of said carrier member to said first portion of said carrier member. 
     
     
       14. The reciprocating saw of  claim 13 , whereby said fan further directs air out of said housing through vents incorporated therein. 
     
     
       15. The reciprocating saw of  claim 9 , wherein said reciprocating saw further includes a removable base, said removable base including a first pair of lateral rails extending therefrom for slidably engaging a second pair of lateral walls incorporated on said housing. 
     
     
       16. The reciprocating saw of  claim 15 , wherein one of said housing and said removable base further includes a latch for selectively coupling said removable base to said housing.